Lymphocyte transformation and TRH responsiveness in asymptomatic thyroiditis: relation to thyroid hormones

Effect of triiodothyronine and in vitro growth hormone on avian interleukin-2

One-day-old chickens were treated with varying levels of triiodothyronine (T3) added to the diet. At 28 days of age, the IL-2-like activity in the splenocyte culture supernatants were assessed. The lowest dose of T3 (0.1 ppm) enhanced IL-2-like activity while the highest dose (1.0 ppm) was significantly suppressive. The intermediate dose elicited varying effects. Recombinant chicken growth hormone (rcGH) was added to some cultures 24 h prior to IL-2 assay. In vitro rcGH significantly depressed the IL-2-like activity of splenocytes from animals given the low T3 diet. The addition of varying concentrations of T3 in vitro to splenocytes from non-T3-supplemented chickens had no effect on the IL-2-like activity. These results indicate that in vivo supplementation of low dietary T3 but not in vitro T3 is effective in enhancing avian IL-2-like activity. The addition of rcGH in vitro can modify this response.

Natural history of primary myxedema

It is generally admitted that primary myxedema in adults is the outcome of autoimmune atrophic thyroiditis. The present review traces the natural history of this process from its incipient biologic and genetic anomalies up to its protracted asymptomatic course, clinical development, and eventual lethal complications. The apprehension of preclinical hypothyroidism may change a clinician's outlook on early diagnosis and therapy.